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Thor (Chris Hemsworth) learns the pain and value in being humbled in Kenneth Branagh's "Thor."

Natalie Portman was so astonished that Kenneth Branagh signed on to direct “Thor” she decided she had to be involved with the production. How many people, I wonder, saw the movie for that very same reason? Because let’s call a spade a spade and say that idea of a “serious actor” like Branagh directing a Marvel film is wacky and weird (or just weird). But in taking that unexpected leap, he’s joined other directors (Jon Favreau, Sam Raimi) who made Marvel adaptations about more than special effects and fight scenes. “Thor” takes a strutting peacock (Chris Hemsworth) and strips off his feathers to see what he’s really made of.

“Thor” doesn’t match the emotional depth of “Spider-Man 2” or possess the crackling wit of “Iron Man,” but the film has enough heart and dazzling visuals (a bit of advice: see them in 2D) to make it feel right at home alongside its Marvel predecessors. Branagh, just as fans might suspect, has more in mind for Thor than a blonde beefcake who wields a big hammer. While the director never skimps on the scenery (particularly the Bifröst Bridge, the stunning, resplendent gateway between Asgard and the other eight realms, including Earth), he makes sure Thor emerges from his trial a changed man. It’s the muscle-bound Hemsworth who makes the transition believable, even poignant. He may look like Australia’s answer to Fabio, but Hemsworth is not light on talent. He demonstrates a level of vulnerability that wouldn’t seem possible in a man with such meticulously sculpted abdominal muscles.

Hemsworth, of course, is Thor — son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of Asgar, and Queen Frigga (Rene Russo). Arrogant and short-tempered, he seems less suited to take the throne than his quieter adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Odin’s doubts about his eldest son’s leadership capability are confirmed when Thor ends a long-standing truce between Asgard and the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, led by the malevolent Laufey (Colm Feore). Stripped of his hammer, Mjolnir, Thor is exiled to Earth, landing in the New Mexico desert and in the lives of scientist Jane (Portman), her bumbling assistant Darcy (Kat Dennings) and fellow researcher Erik (Stellan Skarsgård). With his bizarre manners and formal speech, Thor seems like a certifiable kook; however, Jane wonders if he knows something about the interdimensional wormholes she’s researching. When Thor tries to reclaim Mjolnir, he catches the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Coulson (Clark Gregg, droll as ever). Back in Asgar, Thor’s band of Warriors Three — Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (Joshua Dallas) and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano) — and longtime friend Sif (Jaime Alexander) begin to suspect that Loki isn’t as harmless as he appears.

As origin stories go, Thor’s fall from grace is more interesting than most purely because of the costumes (kudos to costume designer Alexandra Byrne) and stellar design and effects. “Thor” rivals “TRON: Legacy” in terms of scenes that inspire awe and wonder — it’s marked by a terrific use of fluorescent colors and lighting that render Asgar the kind of mythical kingdom told of in Norse mythology books. The sinister Frost Giants and Heimdall (Idris Elba, for once correctly cast), the gruff gatekeeper of Bifröst Bridge, are striking as well. There’s something emblematic about the image of Heimdall, with his piercing yellow eyes, horned helmet and formidable staff, presiding over a bridge that connects the worlds. Heimdall, even more than Odin, seems possessed of a calm certainty in his purpose that Thor is unable or unwilling to seek out.

Herein lies the rub, where Branagh aligns “Thor” with other comics-based movies that don’t skimp on development. That extends to secondary characters. Portman gets to step away from her tortured “Black Swan” persona, and Skarsgård brings his trademark low-key humor (though it’s Dennings and Hemsworth’s stranger-in-a-strange-land antics that provide most of the comic relief). Hiddleston is subtle but effective as the diabolical and tortured Loki, chameleon-like in his ability to assess his circumstances and change accordingly. His devolution makes him a fitting foil for Hemsworth. Hiddleston is the stronger actor; Hemsworth, though, provides more perceptiveness than he has to. He lets us see the flaws behind the beauty.

5 Responses

“How many people, I wonder, saw the movie for that very same reason [Branagh’s involvement]?” Lots, me included. I probably won’t go see this in the theater if it weren’t for Branagh. I love superhero genre but Thor wasn’t even on my radar like Superman, Batman or X-Men. But now it’s become one of my fave Marvel movies. Hiddleston is definitely the better actor, I responded to your comment on Castor’s blog about him.

Yeah, Thor wasn’t high on my list either, but I can’t think of anyone better-suited to play him than Hemsworth. He really looks the part. It’s Loki, however, that stole my heart. I’m a sucker for the greasy, amoral villains.

Besides my comic-book loving brother, my one association with Thor was from Adventures in Babysitting. Nevertheless, I got what I expected from Thor and then some. I really enjoyed Branagh’s hand in the development. I also agree with you about Loki’s character stealing the show – he had the widest range and deepest anguish.

I wish I enjoyed it more than I did. I’ll give the film its astonishing visual effects. Everything looked like candy to me and it made me hungry. HOWEVER, I just couldn’t get into the story especially the main character’s struggle. I wanted to believe that he changed. I wanted to see what Portman’s character saw in him. (Granted, he had a nice body. Like, really nice.) But I found him vapid and only occasionally funny. I think Hawkeye, given that he was only in it for 2 minutes max, outshined him.

….Published by on April 19 2011…………..The reviews are beginning to pour in for Kenneth Branaghs the new comic book action flick from Marvel Studios and unofficially the first film of the crowded Summer 2011 season..Thors journey from Asgard to Earth and back wont be in theaters Stateside until May 6 but Branagh and company celebrated the movies world premiere in Sydney Australia on Sunday as the studio screened the final cut for a handful of hand-picked press. Joe? Ill leave it to you to take the following with a grain of salt or not..The ever eloquent Drew McWeeney at writes Chris Hemsworth is just as good a fit for the character of Thor as Robert Downey Junior is for Tony Stark and that one thing goes a long way to making the film a pleasure to watch.